I'm looking forward to playing in Euro last-16 games in the New Year, Nakamura tells Hoops fans

By PETER JARDINE

Last updated at 08:33 07 December 2007

He was the hero of Parkhead the last time Celtic reached the last 16 of the Champions League after his stunning free-kick shot down Manchester United. But Shunsuke Nakamura experienced only pangs of regret at his personal fitness progress this time round in Milan in midweek.

The Japanese international is set to miss up to half-a-dozen SPL games before the end of 2007 as he continues to nurse a knee-ligament problem.

Nakamura had to sit out the final Champions League group games against Shakhtar Donetsk at Parkhead and AC Milan in the San Siro because of the injury.

And now it could be the end of December at the earliest before he is fit to return for Gordon Strachan, with Celtic facing no fewer than six SPL games before the Old Firm showdown on January 2.

"I wanted to play in Milan on Tuesday night, but of course I could not," Nakamura told the Japanese media. "It was not a great game but it was a great night for Celtic because we made the knockout stages for the second year in succession.

"I have to rest and have treatment at the moment, that's all I can do. But I'm looking forward to the last-16 games in the New Year."

Nakamura, 29, should certainly be fit by then as he continues intensive treatment. The nerves and ligaments in his left knee have been subjected to extensive demands over a two-year period, due to a hectic series of games for club and country.

No surgery is required, it seems, and Nakamura will not return to Japan for a break over the festive period. His rehabilitation is focused in Glasgow and at Celtic's training centre in Lennoxtown as Strachan contends with the absence of last season's Player of the Year.

On a brighter note, long-term injury victim Mark Wilson, the former Dundee United defender, is due to return to first-team training with Celtic soon, while Lee Naylor should be ready to come back before Christmas.